Running Amazon PPC ads but not getting the results you hoped for? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of sellers waste hundreds of dollars every month because of a few avoidable mistakes. In this blog, we’ll talk about five of the most common Amazon PPC mistakes — and how you can fix them to start seeing better results.

1. Not Using Negative Keywords

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is not using negative keywords. Without them, your ads may show up for completely irrelevant searches. This means you’re spending money on clicks that have no chance of converting. To fix this, check your search term reports regularly and add irrelevant search terms as negative keywords. For example, if you’re selling organic baby shampoo, you should exclude terms like “dog shampoo” or “shampoo bars.”

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2. Only Running Automatic Campaigns

Many beginners rely solely on automatic campaigns because they’re easier to set up. While auto campaigns are great for initial keyword discovery, they shouldn’t be your only strategy. Once you’ve gathered enough data, start running manual campaigns using exact, phrase, and broad match types. This gives you more control over your targeting and ad spend.

3. Ignoring ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale)

If you’re not keeping an eye on your ACoS, you might end up spending more than you’re earning. ACoS tells you how much you’re spending on ads compared to the sales you’re generating. Set a target ACoS based on your profit margins. Pause or lower bids on keywords that are eating your budget without driving profitable sales.

4. Mixing Branded and Non-Branded Keywords

Another common mistake is combining branded and non-branded keywords in the same campaign. Branded keywords usually convert better because users are already familiar with your brand, while non-branded keywords help you reach new customers. For better insights and performance tracking, separate these into different campaigns. This also helps in better budget allocation.

5. Not Testing Ad Placements

Most sellers don’t realize that ad placement matters. Amazon allows you to adjust your bids for top-of-search and product page placements. If your ads perform better in certain placements, increase your bids for those spots using placement modifiers. Keep testing to see what works best for your products.

Final Thoughts

Amazon PPC is a powerful tool, but only when used strategically. Avoiding these common mistakes can save you a lot of money and help you grow your brand more effectively. If you need help managing or optimizing your PPC campaigns, Peakhawks is here to assist. Our team specializes in data-driven PPC strategies tailored to your product category and goals.